Wichita eagle., 1887-08-21
WICHITA's RIVALS
Kansas City's Scheme to Circumven
Wichita's Growth and Business
Expansion,

Expansion,
The Kansas City Times says: 1.-TWO ne
rail road lines are under discussion whiC
Kansas City needs very much to compile
connection with the heavily producin
parts of the neighboring country, one
run through the rich counties OF norther
Kansas to Nebraska" and the other
"coyer western Arkansas These railroa
} lines Kansas City no doubt feels the nece
sity for in order if possible
oounteract the advantages Wichita
about to realize by the construction Of tn
Kansas Midland and the Rock Island road
into the first named section, which vii
give Wichita direct connection therewitl
by those competing lines and the butldin;
of the Arkansas Valley road from the hear
of the latter section western Arkansas
along the valley of the great Arkansas, I'm
equalled for fertility and productiveness
direct to Wichita.
For many years Kansas city was very
octopus upon wide stretch Of country
| north, west and south of her, but in spite
of her rapid absorption of the substance Of
the people, thanks to their indom
table energy and perseverance
under divine encouragement they
have progressed in the matter of self
reliance and commercial independence to
the extent of building up and maintaining
within their own borders markets where
they can dispose Of their rich surplus OF
farm products, stock, etc., and procure
whatever they need of mercantile supplies.
Chief of these points that have arisen and
loosened the hold of the metaphorical sea
serpant On the banks of the muddy Mis-
souri, that has grown and fattened on this
fair domain, is the Peerless Princes of the
Plains, the Dutiful Daughter of Destiny,
Wonderful Wichita.
For the disposal of farm products
In small way, there are number of
local markets dispersed through this vast
stretch of territory; where, too, the people
can readily obtain whatever of household
necessities and family supplies they desire.
But the demands of the country and people
extend far beyond these simple require
ments. Tie ranchman and herder demand
a convenient market and one of sufficient
capacity, financial and otherwise, where he
may dispose of stock when ready for the
market without having to transport it
long distance at heavy expense in time and
money with contingent risks of loss by
accident or otherwise; the farmer requires
a market where he may dispose Of his crop
in bulk and on short notice as the condi.
ton Of the general market may indicate to
him the time to sell to the best advantage
The merchants of the interior towns must
have market at once accessible and where
they can procure supplies of whatever
character at rate equal to the best to be
no difference where, giving them
the advantage of prompt returns of invest
ments and obviating the necessity of en-
ploying large capital to carry heavy stocks
as is required where goods have to be
carted long distances. And, too, such a
country as this has constant and ever in
creasing need of machinery of various
kinds, agricultural and other implements
and materials that require to be furnished
promptly and eheaply.
These and other reasons that could hard
ly be enumerated called for, demanded,
the establishment and upbuilding of such
q mart, and realizing the conditions and
advantages Of her location
the shrewd, far-seeing, enterprising citizens
Of Wichita-the capitalist, business man, all
Joined hands to meet the requirement that
they early realized would be laid upon
her, and with single purpose and cease
less effort have striven to place her in po-
sition to meet all these demands. How
wisely they planned and how well they
executed is evidenced by the con
stantly incoming and outgoing
trains upon half score of
railroads, stretching in every direction, to
accommodate the traffic and trade; by the
of the steam engines Of factories
and mills and foundries on every hand
which multiply so rapidly as to render their
e Enumeration next to impossible by the
rush and push of the busy tradesmen as
they endeavor to serve their customers; by
the crowded condition of the thorofares in
every direction, each individual bent upon
the accomplishment Of his busy pursuit.
In short, by the existence of city of
$4,000 population where twenty years ago
there was not vestige of civilization and
W hich is increasing at ratio of 33 per
C ent. per apnum, whose business transac
tons have increased one hundred and fifty
per cent in twelve months.
1t is no wonder, then. that Kansas City,
long the mistress of this broad expanse of
in a commercial sense, should
bestir herself to prevent losses which, if
S ustained, will be disastrous to her beyond
CO mputation. But she rested in fancied
security too long, Wichita has the ascen--
dency In the southwest and she is going to
1t despite the efforts to circum
vent her by her lubberly competitor over
the border; despite the combined efforts of
Jealous rivals here and there, and despite
the ISLANDERS of thousand falsifiers In as
many newspapers throughout the country
for nnH noar